Fugitives given lengthy sentences for Gateway jewellery store heist
The suspects, Mohamed Billal Sheik and Zahida Rahaman were arrested last Monday in East London after being on the run for 20 months.
AFTER being on the run for 20 months, two fugitives from justice, Mohamed Billal Sheik and Zahida Rahaman, were arrested and sentenced to 15 years each for their part in the burglary of Cherry Design Store in Gateway Theatre of Shopping.
According to police, four people were involved in the heist which occurred in 2013 where more than R15-million worth of jewellery was taken. A large amount of cash was also taken. SAPS has since recovered R7.5-million worth of the jewellery.
Sheik and Rahaman, who were arrested in East London last Monday escaped in 2018 as judgment was about to be handed down in their court case.
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On Friday last week the duo were sentenced to 15 years each at the Durban Magistrate’s Court.
Private investigator Sean Pierce, who had been investigating the matter said he was happy the duo had finally been sentenced.
“Fellow PI, Vis Moodley and myself have been working this case closely with Detective Vicky Moodley of the Durban North SAPS and we are really happy that both of the suspects have been sentenced and had their day in court. They were arrested after a joint operation between Durban North SAPS and East London Hawks last week and within the 20 months the duo have been on the run we’ve followed several leads taking us to various parts of the country looking for them,” Pierce said.
A third suspect was sentenced to 15 years in November last year for his part in the case while a fourth accomplice is yet to be charged.
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